Olivia Newton-John has revealed her breast cancer has returned - 25 years after her first successful battle made her an advocate for fighting the disease.
The British-born star has postponed a tour of the United States and Canada following her new diagnosis.
The 68-year-old said she will undergo a short course of radiation, as well as natural therapies, upon the advice of specialists at a cancer research center named after her in her adopted home of Melbourne, Australia.
The singer "is confident she will be back later in the year, better than ever, to celebrate her shows", a statement by her management said.
She is best-known for starring in the 1978 musical comedy Grease alongside John Travolta.
Newton-John was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992, forcing her to halt her schedule.
The experience had a major impact on Newton-John who became an advocate for research into cancer and for early detection.
Thursday, June 1, 2017
Kabul bombing: Afghans blame Haqqani network and Pakistan
Afghan intelligence officials have blamed Taliban-affiliated militants with the help of Pakistani security services for a truck bombing in Kabul that killed 90 people.
Up to 400 others were injured when the suicide attacker drove into the capital's diplomatic quarter during the morning rush-hour before setting off explosives.
The blast left a 16ft-deep crater near Zanbaq Square in the Wazir Akbar Khan district, where foreign embassies are located, including the German premises which was badly damaged.
Most of the fatalities were civilians, including women and children. Nine Afghan security guards at the US embassy also died as well as another guard at the German equivalent.
The embassies of China, Turkey, France, India and Japan also reported damage, while the BBC said one of its drivers was killed and four of its journalists were wounded. Eleven US contractors were also hurt.
Image:The German embassy was badly damaged in the attack
More than 50 cars were destroyed or damaged in the area which was considered Kabul's safest neighbourhood, with buildings protected by dozens of 10ft-high blast walls.
The Afghan intelligence service, NDS, said early findings showed the Afghan Haqqani militant network with the assistance of the Pakistani intelligence service, ISI, carried out the attack.
In a statement, the NDS said: "These terrorists once again proved they don't represent any religion and they only carry out such coward attacks to please their Pakistani masters which is against all Islamic and human rights principals."
The Haqqani group is fighting US-led NATO forces and the Afghan government.
Image:Cars ablaze at the site of the bombing
Shop owner Mohammad Haroon said of the bombing: "I've never seen such a powerful explosion in my life," adding all the windows in his store and others nearby were shattered.
The Taliban and Islamic State have carried large-scale assaults in the capital in the past, though a Taliban spokesman denied it was behind the latest atrocity and condemned the blast.
Afghanistan has seen a rise in violent attacks this year, as the Taliban pushes to overthrow the US-backed government and reimpose Islamic law 16 years after it was removed from power following the 9/11 attacks.
Since the withdrawal of most international troops in 2014, the extremists have gained ground and now control about 40% of the country, according to US estimates.
Image:An Afghan man near the site of the truck bomb
However, President Ashref Ghani's government still holds all the main provincial centres.
There are currently 8,500 US troops in Afghanistan and Donald Trump is due to decide soon on a recommendation to send 3,000 to 5,000 more soldiers to bolster the NATO training force and US counter-terrorism mission.
The commander of US forces in Afghanistan, General John Nicholson, told a congressional hearing earlier this year that he needed several thousand more troops to help Afghan forces break a "stalemate" with the Taliban.
Up to 400 others were injured when the suicide attacker drove into the capital's diplomatic quarter during the morning rush-hour before setting off explosives.
The blast left a 16ft-deep crater near Zanbaq Square in the Wazir Akbar Khan district, where foreign embassies are located, including the German premises which was badly damaged.
Most of the fatalities were civilians, including women and children. Nine Afghan security guards at the US embassy also died as well as another guard at the German equivalent.
The embassies of China, Turkey, France, India and Japan also reported damage, while the BBC said one of its drivers was killed and four of its journalists were wounded. Eleven US contractors were also hurt.
Image:The German embassy was badly damaged in the attackMore than 50 cars were destroyed or damaged in the area which was considered Kabul's safest neighbourhood, with buildings protected by dozens of 10ft-high blast walls.
The Afghan intelligence service, NDS, said early findings showed the Afghan Haqqani militant network with the assistance of the Pakistani intelligence service, ISI, carried out the attack.
In a statement, the NDS said: "These terrorists once again proved they don't represent any religion and they only carry out such coward attacks to please their Pakistani masters which is against all Islamic and human rights principals."
The Haqqani group is fighting US-led NATO forces and the Afghan government.
Image:Cars ablaze at the site of the bombingShop owner Mohammad Haroon said of the bombing: "I've never seen such a powerful explosion in my life," adding all the windows in his store and others nearby were shattered.
The Taliban and Islamic State have carried large-scale assaults in the capital in the past, though a Taliban spokesman denied it was behind the latest atrocity and condemned the blast.
Afghanistan has seen a rise in violent attacks this year, as the Taliban pushes to overthrow the US-backed government and reimpose Islamic law 16 years after it was removed from power following the 9/11 attacks.
Since the withdrawal of most international troops in 2014, the extremists have gained ground and now control about 40% of the country, according to US estimates.
Image:An Afghan man near the site of the truck bombHowever, President Ashref Ghani's government still holds all the main provincial centres.
There are currently 8,500 US troops in Afghanistan and Donald Trump is due to decide soon on a recommendation to send 3,000 to 5,000 more soldiers to bolster the NATO training force and US counter-terrorism mission.
The commander of US forces in Afghanistan, General John Nicholson, told a congressional hearing earlier this year that he needed several thousand more troops to help Afghan forces break a "stalemate" with the Taliban.
Obamas purchase D.C. house for $8.1 million, new report says
Former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle have bought a D.C. home for more than $8 million, according to a new report. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Former President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle have purchased the home they’ve been renting in Washington, D.C. for $8.1 million, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
The Obamas reportedly closed on the home Wednesday.
“Given that President and Mrs. Obama will be in Washington for at least another two and a half years, it made sense for them to buy a home rather than continuing to rent property,” Obama spokesman Kevin Lewis told the Sun-Times.
BARACK AND MICHELLE OBAMA HAVE BOOK DEALS
The 8,200-square-foot home in the Kalorama neighborhood, which was previously sold for $5.295 million in 2014, was once owned by former Clinton White House press secretary Joe Lockhart and his wife.
The Obamas elected to remain in Washington after leaving the White House until their daughter Sasha can finish high school. Sasha will start her junior year of high school at Sidwell Friends in the fall.
The former first family will also continue to own their Chicago home in the South Side Kenwood community, a source told the Sun-Times.
Labour: Rail passengers would be £1k better off under renationalisation
Labour has returned its focus to the railways after claiming that passengers would be £1,000 better off" if they were to win the General Election.
The party has already said that it would renationalise the network were it to be in Government, bringing franchises back into public ownership as they run out.
It has also said that it would bring in new caps on how much fares could rise, using a different measure of inflation that, says Labour, would result in lower increases.
"Under the Conservatives, rail fares have sky-rocketed and tickets are some of the most expensive in Europe," said leader Jeremy Corbyn.
"Labour will take Britain's railways back into public control and put more money into people's pockets by capping fares. This will save commuters £1,014 on their rail season tickets over the next Parliament."
However, the party is likely to face claims that it has distorted the figures, after quoting a "potential cost" to commuters if a Conservative Government raised fares by more than inflation - a system that was actually scrapped four years ago.
Under existing rules, certain train fares - known as "regulated" fares - can only rise by a measure of inflation known as the retail price index (RPI).
This figure includes housing costs and is calculated in a slightly different, and much more complicated, way.
It normally produces a significantly higher figure than the consumer price index (CPI) statistic, which is the one normally used to measure the price of living.
For example, at the moment RPI is running at 3.5% while inflation measured by CPI is 2.7%.
Labour says it will change the system so fares can only go up by the lower CPI figure, protecting passengers from painful increases.
According to its figures, that would mean a cumulative saving of £551 over the five years of the next Parliament, compared to increases based on RPI.
But Labour has gone a step further, assuming that a Tory Government would go back to the previous system of allowing increases of 1% more than RPI.
That is how the party has reached the figure of £1,000, but there's no mention of such a change in the Conservative manifesto.
Labour's shadow transport secretary, Andy McDonald, said: "Theresa May's failure to commit to freezing rail fares shows just how out of touch they are.
"Privatised rail has failed and it will take more than tinkering around at the edges to deliver much needed improvements for passengers."
A Conservative spokesman said: "Renationalising the railways will either add billions of pounds to our national debt or hit ordinary working people in the pocket with higher taxes.
"It's yet more economic shambles from Labour."
There is little doubt that the train network does need huge investment, but there is also disagreement about how that can be delivered.
For one thing, critics of Labour's policy are likely to claim that curtailing increases in rail fares will less money being available for investment. That, in turn, is likely to mean the Treasury being asked to make up the shortfall.
Some will portray this as a subsidy for train users. Popular, perhaps, with commuters, but not so attractive for voters who never use the network.
Also, the great bulk of Britain's daily train journeys happen around London and the South-East - the idea of capping train fares would be welcomed in London's commuter belt, but that is also one of the most fiercely Conservative regions of the whole country.
The party has already said that it would renationalise the network were it to be in Government, bringing franchises back into public ownership as they run out.
It has also said that it would bring in new caps on how much fares could rise, using a different measure of inflation that, says Labour, would result in lower increases.
"Under the Conservatives, rail fares have sky-rocketed and tickets are some of the most expensive in Europe," said leader Jeremy Corbyn.
"Labour will take Britain's railways back into public control and put more money into people's pockets by capping fares. This will save commuters £1,014 on their rail season tickets over the next Parliament."
However, the party is likely to face claims that it has distorted the figures, after quoting a "potential cost" to commuters if a Conservative Government raised fares by more than inflation - a system that was actually scrapped four years ago.
Under existing rules, certain train fares - known as "regulated" fares - can only rise by a measure of inflation known as the retail price index (RPI).
This figure includes housing costs and is calculated in a slightly different, and much more complicated, way.
It normally produces a significantly higher figure than the consumer price index (CPI) statistic, which is the one normally used to measure the price of living.
For example, at the moment RPI is running at 3.5% while inflation measured by CPI is 2.7%.
Labour says it will change the system so fares can only go up by the lower CPI figure, protecting passengers from painful increases.
According to its figures, that would mean a cumulative saving of £551 over the five years of the next Parliament, compared to increases based on RPI.
But Labour has gone a step further, assuming that a Tory Government would go back to the previous system of allowing increases of 1% more than RPI.
That is how the party has reached the figure of £1,000, but there's no mention of such a change in the Conservative manifesto.
Labour's shadow transport secretary, Andy McDonald, said: "Theresa May's failure to commit to freezing rail fares shows just how out of touch they are.
"Privatised rail has failed and it will take more than tinkering around at the edges to deliver much needed improvements for passengers."
A Conservative spokesman said: "Renationalising the railways will either add billions of pounds to our national debt or hit ordinary working people in the pocket with higher taxes.
"It's yet more economic shambles from Labour."
There is little doubt that the train network does need huge investment, but there is also disagreement about how that can be delivered.
For one thing, critics of Labour's policy are likely to claim that curtailing increases in rail fares will less money being available for investment. That, in turn, is likely to mean the Treasury being asked to make up the shortfall.
Some will portray this as a subsidy for train users. Popular, perhaps, with commuters, but not so attractive for voters who never use the network.
Also, the great bulk of Britain's daily train journeys happen around London and the South-East - the idea of capping train fares would be welcomed in London's commuter belt, but that is also one of the most fiercely Conservative regions of the whole country.
Wednesday, May 31, 2017
Wonder Woman film faces calls for it to be banned in Lebanon
There are calls for the new Wonder Woman film to be banned in Lebanon - because the lead actress is Israeli.
The Campaign to Boycott Supporters of Israel-Lebanon wants to stop the Hollywood film from playing in 15 theatres around Lebanon.
On its Facebook page, the group said actress Gal Gadot - who plays Amazonian princess Diana - was a soldier in the Israeli army for two years.
The post also pointed out that she supported Israel's military policies against the Gaza Strip, a coastal Palestinian territory run by Hamas.
Lebanon is officially at war with its neighbour Israel and has a law that boycotts Israeli products and bans Lebanese citizens from travelling or having contacts with Israelis.
The two countries have been through a number of wars, including a particularly devastating one in 2006 that battered Lebanon's infrastructure and left hundreds dead.
Image:Gadot is a former soldier and Miss Universe
Gadot, 32, who served in the army from the age of 20, has been a vocal supporter of Israel's military policies and critical of Hamas in several Instagram posts and interviews.
On her Facebook page, the former Miss Universe praised the Israel Defense Forces during the 2014 Gaza-Israel conflict, sending prayers to soldiers "who are risking their lives protecting my country against the horrific acts conducted by Hamas".
The Campaign to Boycott Supporters of Israel-Lebanon wants to stop the Hollywood film from playing in 15 theatres around Lebanon.
On its Facebook page, the group said actress Gal Gadot - who plays Amazonian princess Diana - was a soldier in the Israeli army for two years.
The post also pointed out that she supported Israel's military policies against the Gaza Strip, a coastal Palestinian territory run by Hamas.
Lebanon is officially at war with its neighbour Israel and has a law that boycotts Israeli products and bans Lebanese citizens from travelling or having contacts with Israelis.
The two countries have been through a number of wars, including a particularly devastating one in 2006 that battered Lebanon's infrastructure and left hundreds dead.
Image:Gadot is a former soldier and Miss UniverseGadot, 32, who served in the army from the age of 20, has been a vocal supporter of Israel's military policies and critical of Hamas in several Instagram posts and interviews.
On her Facebook page, the former Miss Universe praised the Israel Defense Forces during the 2014 Gaza-Israel conflict, sending prayers to soldiers "who are risking their lives protecting my country against the horrific acts conducted by Hamas".
Donald Trump poised to pull US out of Paris climate change deal
Donald Trump is poised to withdraw the US from a major climate change deal designed to cut global carbon emissions, a White House official has said.
But there may be "caveats in the language" the US President uses to announce the move - leaving open the possibility that the decision might not be final, they added.
Minutes later Mr Trump tweeted that he would be "announcing my decision on the Paris Accord over the next few days", adding: "MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"
I will be announcing my decision on the Paris Accord over the next few days. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 31, 2017
The US president had refused to endorse the landmark accord at the weekend and left the G7 summit in Sicily with a parting-shot tweet saying he had not made up his mind on whether to back it.
World leaders, who had hoped to put out a statement of consensus on the Paris Agreement, expressed their frustration, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel declaring: "We have a situation where six, or if you also include the EU seven, are against one."
The decision will put the US in league with Syria and Nicaragua as the world's only non-participants in the Paris Climate Agreement - brokered by Mr Trump's predecessor Barack Obama in 2015.
I will make my final decision on the Paris Accord next week!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 27, 2017
Agreed on by up to 200 countries, the deal aims to reduce carbon dioxide and other emissions from the burning of fossil fuels.
The US is the world's second-biggest emitter of carbon dioxide behind China.
Under the deal, Mr Obama committed the US to cutting its emissions by between 26% and 28% from 2005 levels by 2025.
Mr Trump, who in a November 2012 tweet dismissed climate change as a hoax, pledged during his election campaign to "cancel" the accord within 100 days of becoming president to boost America's coal and oil industries.
The concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive.— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) 6 November 2012
US withdrawal could have major implications on the pact which relies heavily on the commitment of big polluter nations to reduce gas emissions which scientists blame for rising sea levels, droughts and frequent violent storms.
The move could also lead to other nations weakening or stepping back from their pledges under the pact.
China, India, Canada and the EU have said they will stick by the deal, even if the US pulls out.
The United Nations responded with a tweet quoting Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as saying: "Climate change is undeniable. Climate action is unstoppable. Climate solutions provide opportunities that are unmatchable."
Sky's US Correspondent Amanda Walker said: "His daughter Ivanka Trump has been trying to encourage him to stay in the deal.
But there may be "caveats in the language" the US President uses to announce the move - leaving open the possibility that the decision might not be final, they added.
Minutes later Mr Trump tweeted that he would be "announcing my decision on the Paris Accord over the next few days", adding: "MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"
I will be announcing my decision on the Paris Accord over the next few days. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 31, 2017
The US president had refused to endorse the landmark accord at the weekend and left the G7 summit in Sicily with a parting-shot tweet saying he had not made up his mind on whether to back it.
World leaders, who had hoped to put out a statement of consensus on the Paris Agreement, expressed their frustration, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel declaring: "We have a situation where six, or if you also include the EU seven, are against one."
The decision will put the US in league with Syria and Nicaragua as the world's only non-participants in the Paris Climate Agreement - brokered by Mr Trump's predecessor Barack Obama in 2015.
I will make my final decision on the Paris Accord next week!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 27, 2017
Agreed on by up to 200 countries, the deal aims to reduce carbon dioxide and other emissions from the burning of fossil fuels.
The US is the world's second-biggest emitter of carbon dioxide behind China.
Under the deal, Mr Obama committed the US to cutting its emissions by between 26% and 28% from 2005 levels by 2025.
Mr Trump, who in a November 2012 tweet dismissed climate change as a hoax, pledged during his election campaign to "cancel" the accord within 100 days of becoming president to boost America's coal and oil industries.
The concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive.— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) 6 November 2012
US withdrawal could have major implications on the pact which relies heavily on the commitment of big polluter nations to reduce gas emissions which scientists blame for rising sea levels, droughts and frequent violent storms.
The move could also lead to other nations weakening or stepping back from their pledges under the pact.
China, India, Canada and the EU have said they will stick by the deal, even if the US pulls out.
The United Nations responded with a tweet quoting Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as saying: "Climate change is undeniable. Climate action is unstoppable. Climate solutions provide opportunities that are unmatchable."
Sky's US Correspondent Amanda Walker said: "His daughter Ivanka Trump has been trying to encourage him to stay in the deal.
TfL preparing to provide 4G on the Tube
Transport for London (TfL) is preparing to hear bids from telecommunications firms to provide mobile phone coverage on the Underground.
TfL and London mayor Sadiq Khan will be opening a tender for private companies to provide 4G on the Tube after the General Election next week.
It could allow people to make calls and use the internet while on the Underground.
A number of companies are preparing to pitch for the work, according to sources quoted by the Financial Times.
These companies included telecommunications infrastrucutre companies such as BAI Communications, Wireless Infrastructure Group and Arqiva.
BT could also bid, as might Chinese technology giant Huawei.
A TfL spokesperson told Sky News: "We are keen to offer full mobile phone coverage for our customers.
"The introduction of this would need to be commercially viable and would follow engagement with staff and customers."
The nature of the contract is not yet known, but TfL could subsidise the construction of the network, which may cost hundreds of millions of pounds.
It might also seek to enter into a revenue sharing deal with the telecoms company.
Previous attempts to get mobile coverage on the Underground were abandoned by TfL.
Recent work on extending the new Emergency Services Network - a communications network for the blue light services - has encouraged TfL to again attempt to roll out mobile coverage to commuters in London.
TfL and London mayor Sadiq Khan will be opening a tender for private companies to provide 4G on the Tube after the General Election next week.
It could allow people to make calls and use the internet while on the Underground.
A number of companies are preparing to pitch for the work, according to sources quoted by the Financial Times.
These companies included telecommunications infrastrucutre companies such as BAI Communications, Wireless Infrastructure Group and Arqiva.
BT could also bid, as might Chinese technology giant Huawei.
A TfL spokesperson told Sky News: "We are keen to offer full mobile phone coverage for our customers.
"The introduction of this would need to be commercially viable and would follow engagement with staff and customers."
The nature of the contract is not yet known, but TfL could subsidise the construction of the network, which may cost hundreds of millions of pounds.
It might also seek to enter into a revenue sharing deal with the telecoms company.
Previous attempts to get mobile coverage on the Underground were abandoned by TfL.
Recent work on extending the new Emergency Services Network - a communications network for the blue light services - has encouraged TfL to again attempt to roll out mobile coverage to commuters in London.
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